President Trump continued to attack House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings on Monday after a weekend of tweets targeting the Maryland Democrat.
“Elijah Cummings never even went to the Southern Border and then he screams at the very good people who, despite Congresses failure to fix the Loopholes and Asylum, make it work (crossings are way down and the Wall is being built). Even with zero Dem help, Border getting strong!” Trump tweeted Monday night.
Elijah Cummings never even went to the Southern Border and then he screams at the very good people who, despite Congresses failure to fix the Loopholes and Asylum, make it work (crossings are way down and the Wall is being built). Even with zero Dem help, Border getting strong!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2019
Trump also went after Baltimore, which Cummings represents, pointing out the high levels of crime in the city, as well as the money that has gone into attempting to put an end to the violence.
“Baltimore’s numbers are the worst in the United States on Crime and the Economy. Billions of dollars have been pumped in over the years, but to no avail. The money was stolen or wasted. Ask Elijah Cummings where it went. He should investigate himself with his Oversight Committee!” Trump added in the two-tweet string.
Baltimore’s numbers are the worst in the United States on Crime and the Economy. Billions of dollars have been pumped in over the years, but to no avail. The money was stolen or wasted. Ask Elijah Cummings where it went. He should investigate himself with his Oversight Committee!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2019
Over the weekend, Trump targeted the 68-year-old congressman after comments that were critical of his immigration policies and for attempts by House Democrats to push the Russian collusion narrative and claims of obstruction. In one tweet Trump received considerable backlash for calling the Baltimore area Cummings lives a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess” where “no human would want to live.”
….As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2019
Cummings defended himself Saturday in a series of tweets, writing, “Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbors. It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But, it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents.”
“Just yesterday, I held a hearing on the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs and the financial hardships that families across the nation, and in Baltimore, are facing,” Cummings said.
Just yesterday, I held a hearing on the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs and the financial hardships that families across the nation, and in Baltimore, are facing.
— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) July 27, 2019
Cummings has been a tough critic of Trump’s immigration policy. During a hearing on Thursday, Cummings shouted down acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan about conditions in migrant camps. On the same day, Cummings’ committee voted to authorize subpoenas for all presidential records sent to or received by noncareer aides.
During his weekend attacks, Trump also called Cummings “racist.” Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina pushed back on the notion Monday, maintaining that neither man was a racist.
“I am friends with both men, President Trump and Chairman Cummings. I know both men well. Neither man is a racist. Period. Both love America,” Meadows said. “I think if we put aside partisanship with investigations we can find bipartisan solutions that will benefit not only Chairman Cummings’ district but the country as a whole.”
